Roundtop--7.5n

A windstorm, with gusts equaling as high as 106 mph, hit the GSMNP the evening of October 16. In addition to many road closures, numerous windfalls could be expected on any trail in the Tennessee part of the park; the North Carolina part did not suffer nearly as much. Because of this, I called Bob Bolinger on 10/17 to see if he wanted to hike Roundtop with me; because this trail is accessible at the Wears Cove entrance to the park, I knew that we could get to the trailhead. We agreed to meet at the Townsend Y at 8:30 so we could check the river crossing and leave a car.

I arrived at Food Lion in Maryville a little before 8:00. Although many hikers were there to determine what they wanted to do, no one indicated a willingness to do Roundtop. As I was about to leave I told that to Bill Woodrick; he asked me if that told me something (e.g., deep water).

I arrived at the Townsend Y a little before 8:30. I started checking with fisherman who were in the water and who knew the stream. When Bob arrive we walked up river to see if we could (1) see where Roundtop trail terminated at the river and/or (2) find a place that we could wade across. We found neither. I suggested that we do Chestnut Top; this is a trail that I had done previously but Bob had not yet done. We were about to embark on this when Bob noted on his topographical map that Roundtop could be accessed off U.S. 321; we then thought that we could do just part of Roundtop and then on a later day do an in-and-out on the remaining portion. I then left my car at a rafting place on U.S. 321 and went with Bob in our endeavor to find an out-of-the-park entrance to Roundtop; we were unsuccessful. We then decided that we would start on Roundtop and try to find where a quasi trail left the park and hit U.S. 321.

It was 10:30 that we started Roundtop. We immediately noted many windfalls on the trail from the Monday night storm. We shortly passed a tourist home almost on the trail; shortly thereafter we met the Minnesota occupants. We talked to them briefly and they informed us that there was another group of hikers ahead (with a guide) who planned to hike the 7.5 mile Roundtop trail and then cross Little River at the Townsend Y via a bridge. That interested us. Shortly thereafter we caught up with the group and their guide. The guide informed us that there was not a bridge but that there was a easy crossing at the trail’s terminus. Although neither Bob nor I were carrying watershoes because we had not planned to cross Little River, we went on taking the pro’s advice for some in his group were going to cross the river bare footed. (After we passed this group and encountered many windfalls across the trail, we assume that they might turn back--see pic.)

When we reached the trail’s terminus we zipped off the lower sections of our trousers and removed our boots. Because I had extra socks, I decided to cross the river stocking footed; Bob followed me barefooted for he did not have extra socks. The water was well above mid-thigh level in parts (see pic); however, it was difficult but not extremely so (it would have almost been a breeze if we had had our water shoes). After we crossed we put our boots back on fairly close up-stream from the Y; the 7.5 miles took us ~4 hrs. (That included stopping for lunch and getting through or around many a windfall—this was not conducive to having a fast time.) If we had originally planned to cross the river one of our cars would have been at the Y; thus we had ~1.5-2 mile walk to my car in Townsend.

AT Fontana to Lost Cove--3.7n, AT Lost Cove to Doe Knob--3.1n, AT to Russell Field--6.4n, Russell Field to Cades Cove--5.1pd. (18.3 mi total)

Met at Food Lion at 7:00, I rode with John K., Janetta rode with Ellie, & Joel rode with Cecil. At Foothills Parkway we met BZ, Bob B., & Dennis McAdams. John, Bob, BZ, Dennis, and I took Cecil’s car to Fontana; Ellie, Janetta, Joel and Cecil proceeded in BZ’s car to the Anthony Creek trail head in Cades Cove. The latter group would proceed from North to South; we would be on the same trails but would proceed from South to North.

Our group had the long drive and got started about 9:30. I led off and did the first 3.7 miles in 1 hr 26 min.; because this was ~2,000 ft climb, I was satisfied with my time and got a good workout. It was on this section that the low clouds (some call it the smoke) was taken. The next 3.1 mi. section took 1 hr 7 min.; there we broke for lunch and 2nd picture was taken. (On the trail shortly after lunch we met our South-bound group and vehicle keys were exchanged.) The 3.3 mi. section to Russell Field took 1 hr 13 min. The last 5.1 mi. section took 1 hr. 57 min.; we arrived at Cades Cove ~5:30 p.m. Awaiting us there was BZ's vehicle; he took us to the Y and John and I got in his car and Bob got in his. BZ dropped Dennis off in Sugarlands. After John dropped me off at Food Lion, Cecil arrived with Joel, Janetta, and Ellie; their hike went fine too.

Snake Den Ridge--5.3 pd, AT to Balsam Mtn--3.7 n, return--9 pd (18 mi total)

The hike was out of Cosby and I drove; I picked up my passengers (Judy Collins, John Kennerly, Cecil Rowe, and Glen Howard) at Cracker Barrell). (On the trail Pam and Connie joined us; they were backpacking to Tricorner.)

Our first trail was Snake Den Ridge. I had hiked it previously going down hill; this was uphill and it has ~4,000 ft. gain in its 5.3 miles. I pretty much went along with the group for the first part. When the one I was talking to dropped back, I decided to push a little for I need cardiovascular training for a road race in Iowa in a couple of weeks. I arrived at its terminus (junction with the AT) in 2 hr. 18 min. I had a yogurt there and waited for the rest.

The AT to Balsam Mtn trail (our terminus) is up and down and 3.7 miles in length. I eventually went ahead and arrived at Balsam Mtn trail in 1 hr. 24 min.; I then ate lunch and waited for I wanted to catch Judy reaching this trail; this would mark the completion of her 900 miles. (Ellie Doughty started late and joined us there just as I was leaving.) The other picture was taken from the AT looking at Pisgah National Forest.

I then set out alone back 3.7 mi. to the Snake Den Ridge trail; it took me 1 hr. & 21 min. but looked a moment at the remaining wreckage of an airplane that did not make it over the ridge. Glen and Amy (she had hiked with Ellie) were there. After I described the airplane wreck site, Glen went to explore it and Amy waited for him. The 5.3 mi. return trip took me 1 hr. & 42 min. Shortly prior to reaching Cosby Campground I caught up with Bob Hutchins, Bill Woodrick, and Dale Teague; they had done a short in-and-out and were there only to help Judy celebrate her completion of the 900 miles of trails.

When Judy et al. arrived, we had a small party in Judy’s honor.